In this episode Mark Maguire and Gordon MacLelland discuss sports parenting, blogging, writing books and Mark shares his experience of being a sports parent to a son who has just recently signed for the Pittsburgh Pirates MLB franchise.

In a fascinating and unique episode Mark charts his journey as a parent from his early days as a sports parent, his time being a parent coach, acknowledging his mistakes and how he had to change leading to the amazing relationship that he has with his son today.

During the conversation they discuss amongst other things:

• Becoming an author and a blogger
• The excitement of having a son being chased by a number of MLB franchises
• Getting his son into baseball and his early coaching experiences in Tee-Ball
• The importance of your children finding a sport that they are truly passionate about
• The challenges of being a parent coach and reflecting honestly about learning on the job and the mistakes made
• Recognising when to get away from being a parent coach and passing the baton over to someone else
• The importance of intrinsic motivation
• Being able to say sorry and losing the ego
• The art of observation and the skill of asking non-judgemental questions, listening to your child and planning the next stage of the journey together

If you have enjoyed the conversation  and are fascinated by Mark and Solo’s journey then don’t forget to check out the ‘Dad – it doesn’t help’  series in the WWPIS Members platform.

Mark’s book is also available for purchase here.

‘Fairly much I can say is this is true: there are no bad kids. You might be expecting me to next write, just bad parents. But this is also not true.
We are just misguided.
We are passionate. We want the best for our young athletes. But most of the time we just don’t know how to keep our loose lips still.
What you’re about to read is not a secret formula. It will make you think; it will challenge you. It will teach you that your child is looking for you to be their biggest support and role model.’
And one day they’ll say to you, “Mum, Dad, you were a great help.”

He asked me to write something on patience. He just wished parents could be more patient with their young athletes and the process. He wished parents could understand that some kids are not skilled or mentally tough enough for professional baseball. They maybe more suited to different levels of college or even being content with being a valuable player in a state team or a club team.

It’s very hard to see clearly where our child sits in the big scheme of things—next to impossible, actually. I find it hard. I like to think I have an understanding of my son, but I know I’m blinded. If I applied the odds to my son making it to the top I should be locked up; fancy allowing him to throw away many years of his life striving for a goal that only 6% of those signed professionally will ever run onto a major league field. That’s why young athletes are encouraged to have backup plans.

I justify my son’s position: he’s an ‘all or nothing’ guy. I know that’s my characteristic so I don’t know how much it’s me being ‘all or nothing’ for him or him believing it himself. I tell others he’s shooting for the stars and when he falls—as everyone falls at some point—that though the fall will be hard and discouraging, even depressing, family will be there to support him.

This is his reckless adventure.

If my wife and I aren’t patient we will be of no help keeping him on the rails. And if we are not patient he will not listen to our words when we do have something to say.

There must be calmness and a resolute smile about our long suffering. Yes, long suffering, an old English interpretation of what patience means. A fellow sports parent once said to me, we need to happily suffer together on the sideline.

Be realistic. This sounds hypocritical coming from a parent who encourages his kid on a reckless adventure, but I’ve sought feedback of where my kid sits in comparison to others, skill wise, mentally, and with his work ethic. I’ve been offended by some truths and wanted to be defensive. Fortunately, I chose to say nothing, feel the internal suffering, and take it as positive input for my son to learn from.

Bottom line, if I don’t show patience, if I don’t seek realistic input from outsiders who can observe my son better than me, I am not helping him and am only holding him back. Hard truth to swallow.

Allow your child to become a better you.

Allow your child to find their way.

With patience they will listen to you. With impatience they will ignore you.

This is part of a mini series called ‘Dad – it doesn’t help!’ written by Australian author Mark Maguire, whose son Soloman Maguire has recently signed for the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball franchise. To read all of the blogs in the series become a member today.